The first of an occasional column: ALL my life I have lived in Bolton. The essence of this post-industrial town has been ingrained in me and I feel as much a part of the fabric of the town as anyone.

However, the comfort of my existence has been rocked since the events of September 11. Increasingly, politicians have demonised the Muslim population all over the world. The pointing of fingers has had repercussions for all Muslims, including me.

Many politicians do not realise that their negative actions toward the Muslim community significantly affect the way the Muslim society is perceived. The Bolton Muslim population has been comparatively lucky compared to what others have had to endure in other towns.

I have had first-hand accounts of incidents of veiled and hijab wearing Muslim mothers being assaulted in front of their children, bearded elderly men attacked while coming home from the mosque, and Muslim school children abused as a matter of routine. These incidents have risen sharply in the last three to four years and it is no coincidence that at the same time our own politicians have sought to clamp down on the alleged threat from Muslim terrorists.

Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, has unveiled plans to detain terrorist suspects under house arrest under the Prevention of Terrorism Bill. There have been minor concessions here and there, but the whole point of this move appears to be to pin the badge of "Mr Nasty" on the chest of Muslims.

It is with further dismay that I read that Muslims face increased stop-and-search by the police. Hazel Blears, the Minister responsible for counter-terrorism, further declared that Muslims will have to accept this reality. Well, Ms Blears, I can't. It is pitiful that a Minister in high office, in a so-called socialist government, fails to defend innocent Muslims who are caught up in these mindless measures to make the world a "safer" place.

A salient statistic that puts all the Government is doing against Muslims in perspective is that of the 17 people convicted in Britain of terrorist acts since September 2001, only four have been Muslims. That is less than a quarter. Yet we find all the energy the government is spending to make our country a safer place appears to be targeted towards Muslims.

We have read time and again that Muslims have been accused of, and even arrested on suspicion of, terrorism in high profile police swoops only for the case to be dropped due to lack of evidence.

Last year a number of Iraqis were arrested in Manchester. They were suspected of conspiring to launch a terrorist attack at Manchester United's Old Trafford football ground. As it turned out, the suspects were genuine supporters whose only interest in Manchester United, contrary to mine, was to see them win. It makes me angry and it is unsurprising when the disenchanted Muslims of the UK perceive all authority with cynicism.

It is sad and depressing to see how the whirlwind of anti-Muslim sentiment has sucked people in. On the whole, though, I feel the British are by nature suspicious of the motives of government. None of my non-Muslim friends has for one moment defended the actions of the Government and the police, even though they have captured most of the headlines in recent years.

It gives me hope that through all this, when history has to make a judgement, these dark days will be seen as another example of how politicians who are determined to exercise their will come in all shapes and sizes, and beliefs.